What font should I use and what size? what program cause I know gimp is not the best for text? Also crtique.64185

NedS298

05-18-2014, 01:46 AM

You'll have to figure that out on your own. Find a size that's readable but not so large as to be obstructive.
As for the map:
Your rivers need fixing. Their flows are impossible (this gets most people on their first few maps). They're not very nice aesthetically either; try drawing lines and then adding layer effects. At the moment it's impossible to see where they're going.
The mountains and forests look too alike. Try using a different opacity for the forest, that tends to work well.
Use some adjustments (brightness, contrast, etc.) because this map is dark and lacks in contrast.
Put layer effects on the ocean (like an inner/outer glow, I can't remember what they're called on GIMP) to distinguish the land from it (this is already done well though) and to sharpen the coastlines a bit (this isn't done very well). Also, desaturate it slightly.

Overall, it's alright, but you will need to add a lot more detail and spend time on the finer points for this map to come alive. For extra presentability, add a border.

Ghostman

05-18-2014, 05:29 AM

Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) is a free program that's pretty good for text. It's vector-based but can import & export .png and other raster format pictures.

Freodin

05-18-2014, 10:13 AM

If you keep it simple, GIMP is perfectly capable of doing all the labels. For more complicated stuff - bending and adjusting - Inkscape is indeed a perfect free alternative.
As for fonts: keep it simple. If you want to use fonts more elaborate than the standard classics. chose something that is still clear and readable. Try not to use too many different fonts.